Speed control governor for motor vehicles



July 16,- 1940. H, s 2,208,473

SPEED CONTROL GOVERNOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed March 9, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet l July 16, 1940. w. H. ROSS SPEED CONTROL GOVERNOR FORMOTOR VEHICLES Filed March 9, 1959 Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 16,1940 v PATENT OFFICE SPEED CONTROL GOVERNOR roa Moron VEHICLES WilliamH. Ross, Allentown, Pa. Application March 9, 1939, Serial No. 260,873

9 Claim.

This invention relates to speed control governors for motor vehicles ofthe type employing internal combustion engin More particularly theinvention relates to a governor for such purpose which, in operation,assures a constant speed for the vehicle and which can be controlled toeliminate governing action in times or emergency so that, in such anemergency, the speed of the vehiclemay be increased to a suiiicientextent to overcome the danger occurring through the emergency.

One important object of the invention is to provide a novel and improveddevice for the purpose set forth whereby the use of a pedal controlledaccelerator is rendered unnecessary and the operator of the car isthereby freed from the constant muscular strain attendant on using suchpedal controlled accelerator.

A second important object of the invention is to provide a novel andefficient device of this character which will eliminate the necessity ofthe car operator keeping constant watch on the. car speedometer in orderto keep from breaking speed laws.-

A third important object of the inventionis to provide a novel device ofthe kind which is so under control of the car operator that, with normaldriving conditions he is assured of automatic speed control but whenabnormal or emergency conditions arise he may instantly release the carfrom automatic control and operate the car as though it was improvidedwith any speed control device.

A fourth important object of the invention is to provide a novel deviceof this character wherein provision is made for automatic application ofthe vehicle brake when a predetermined speed is exceeded.

A fifth important object of the invention isto provide a device of thiskind which will act as a regulator for the current derived from theusual generator.

Furthermore the use of the present invention saves gas, does not requirethe use of an accelerating pump. in the carburetor; gives the device acontrollable speed of any desired value" within wide limits and permitsshifting of the gears while the device is in operation.

With the above and other objects in view, as will be presently apparent,the invention consists in general of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out inthe claims.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate likeparts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly broken aw y, of anautomobile equipped with this invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the governing unit of theinvention.

Figure 3 is'an end view of the governing unit.

Figure 4 is a vertical section through the brake control valve usedherewith. 10

e 5 is a schematic diagram of the various parts of the invention andtheir connections.

The generator of the car is indicated gener-' ally at G and includes thearmature l0 and the field coils ll connected in series by the con- 15ductor l2. This generator is provided with a pair of brushes l3 and I4and a third brush IS. The brush I3 is grounded as at l6. At I 'l is aconductor guide bar whereon is mounted a slide l8 carrying a slidingcontact I9 moving over a 20 resistance coil 20 one end of which isconnected by a conductor 2| in series with one coil ll. other coil II isconnected'by a conductor 22 to a sliding contact 23 which is attached tothe slide by the contact 23 as the slide I 8 moves on the conductorguide ll. The guide I8 is grounded as at 26. A conductor 21 connects thebrush I5 30 with the contact strip 25 and a conductor 28 connects thebrush with the contact strip 24. Control means 29 operable by the driverof the the brush l5 will be cut out of circuit so that the generator isconverted from a third brush controlled generator to a plain shuntgenerator with 40 its normal function of varying current delivery indirect ratio to the speed. Also such upward movement of the slide l8carries the contact l9 over the resistance 20 which, as the upwardmovement occurs, introduces some portion of the resistance 20 into thefield coil current and thereby weakens the shunt field.

Adjacent the'lower end of the member I! is a pair of opposed fixedcontacts 29 and 30 between 50 which is mounted a movable contact 3| soconstructed as to be constantly urged into engagement with contact 29but which is moved into engagement with contact 30 by an arm 32 fixed toand movable with the slide II. A conductor The engine E is provided 'ththe usual carburetor. E including a. throttle valve 34 having a stem 35and this valve is urged by a spiral spring 38 to fully open position. Anarmature 31, in the form of a permanent magnet, is fixed on the stem 35to oscillate between series connected electro-magnets 38, thearrangement being such that energization of the magnets 38 tends toclose the valve 34 against the action of spring38, the extent of closingdepending on the extent of magnetization of the magnets 38.

The foot accelerator is indicated in general at A and includes the usualpedal 39 and throttle connection 48, the latter being'merely indicatedsince it is well known in the art. A sole old coil 4| is provided'with acore 42 which connected by a link 43 with the pedal 39 so thatenergization of the coil depresses the pedal and thus causes, in theusual manner, acceleration of the engine. One terminal of the solenoidis grounded as at 44. The other terminal of the solenoid 4| is connectedby a conductor 45 with the contact 28. The contact 38 is connected by aconductor 45' in series with the magnets 38. With this arrangementwhenever the contact 3| is in engagement with the contact 29 currentwill flow from the generator I8 through brush l4, conductor 28,conductor 33, contact 3|, contact 29, conductor 45, solenoid 4|, ground44, ground l5 and back to the generator through brush l3. This willplace thepedal39 under control of the solenoid 4| but, if the circuit bebroken between contacts 3| and 29 the pedal will be released foroperation by the driver of the vehicle. i

A conductor 48 connected to the contact 3| connects conductor 48' withone terminal of' a solenoid 41 which, when energized, opens a valve 48controlling the supply of fluid under pressure from a pipe 48 to a brakeactuating mechanism- 58. The other terminal of this solenoid'isconnected by a conductor 5| in' series with the magnets 38. From theconductor 46' there leads a conductor 52 which extends to a cut out 53grounded at- 54. A conductor 55 connects the cut out 53, through anammeter56 with a battery 51 grounded at 58.

Now, if contact 3| engages contact 29 current will flow, not only asbefore described, but also from generator l8 through brush l4, conductor28, conductor 33, conductor 46, solenoid 41, conductor 5|, magnet 38,conductor 48', conductor 52, cut out 53, conductor 55, battery 51,ground 58, ground l8 and brush l6 baekto the generator. Thus,- when thegenerator output, which is regulated by-the position of contact l9,reaches a predetermined amperage (controlled by the generator speed) notonly will the magnets 38 be energized but also the brake valve will beopened.

At 58 is'the usual foot brake lever and at 58 is the usual clutch lever.These levers are shown as respectively grounded at BI and 62. Contacts63 and 84 are arranged in thepath of these levers so that the leverswill engage these contacts upon depression. The contacts 63 and 64 areconnected in multiple by a conductor 65 to the conductor 2| so thatdepression of either of the levers 58 and 68 groimds the field of thegenerator G.

In operation let it be assumed that the car is I being driven undernormal conditions, and it is desired to bring the car to a constantspeed of say 35 M. P. H.

A lever (not shown) on quadranton top of steering wheel, and connectedto member 29 is moved from ofi position to about center of space of itstravel.

The foot accelerator on floor is pressed down hard and it will staythere, being held down by the solenoid 4|.

The lever being moved does four things:

1. It breaks contacts between contacts '38 and 3| which have been shortcircuiting governor unit 31,- 38 and solenoid 41, causing generatorcurrent to flow through windings and start to close butterfly inmanifold. As soon as current has reached a pre-determined value, say 12amperes, armature starts to turn closing butterfly valve, and slowingengine down.

2. Allows contacts 28 and 3| to close causing foot accelerator.

voltage to be applied to solenoid to hold duWIl.

3. Causes sliding contact 23 to move from 3rd 1 brush contact 25 to mainbrush contact 24 caus- 'ing generator to no longer be a 3rd brushcontrolled generator but a straight shunt generator, which charges moreas it speeds up, and less as it slows down; thereby being'responsive tospeed variations, and thereby causing the govemorto be responsive tochanges in current. a

4. Causes sliding contact I9 to be moved along resistance coil 20 whichweakens shunt. field of generator, andso as the resistance of the fieldis changed, the speed of the generator must necessarily change to adaptthe charging rate to control the speed of the motor. W

Now the car will be controlled by the generator current, and as the carcomes to a hill, the motor will slow down a bit, which will cause thegenerator to drop the charging rate a small amount, which will causegovernor to be weakened and so the spring on governor shaft will causethe butbe closed but nothing has been done to prevent I the car fromrunning away on a hard incline. However, brake solenoid valve 48 startsto 'function; as the current from the generator rises,.

causing the solenoid valve 'to open partly and allow the vacuum from themotor manifold (which at this time is high, because valve 34 is closed,and motor is turning rapidly, causing a strong vacuum) to enter thebrake operating means 58, causing brakes to be gradually applied untilcar slows down enough to cause generatorv to charge less, and brakesolenoid valve to close,. releasing brake.

If one meets heavy'trafilc and desires to run normally (i. e. run withregular foot accelerator again) the lever on quadrant is moved to ofiposition, which 1. Cuts out accelerator holding solenoid, which allowsfoot accelerator to return to normal position again.

2. Short circuits out governor unit and brake solenoid valve, causingthem to be inoperative.

3. Shifts field connection of generator from main brush to third brushcausing it to operate as a3rd brush generator again.

4. Restores sliding contact to bottom of resistance coil, therebytakingresistance out of the shunt field circuit.

' While driving with the device in operation, it

' generator having a shunt for any reason the clutch or brake would bedepressed at high speed, motor could be kept from racing, by the clutchand brake contacts, short circuiting out the sliding resistance, whichwould cause the generator to charge more, and thereby close thegovernor, causing the engine to run at a desired-M. P. H. rate.

There has thus been provided a simple and emcient device of the kinddescribed and for the purpose specified.

- It is obvious that changes may be made in the form and construction01' the invention without departing from the material principlesthereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the inven tion to theexact form herein shown and described but it is desired to include allsuch as come within the scope claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a speed regulator for motor vehicles, a generator having a shuntfield and having a pair of main, brushes and a third brush, a throttlevalve, spring urged to open position, electromagnetic means associatedwith the throttle valve for moving the same in closing direction againstsaid spring, circuit connections between the generator and the saidelectromagnetic means and including a single pole two point switchmovable into one position to establish a circuit through saidelectro-magneti'c means and into another position to short circuit saidelec-' .tromagnetic means, and

manually controllable means for actuating said switch.

2. In a speed regulator for motor vehicles, a field and having a pair ofmain brushes and a third brush, a throttle valve, spring urged to openposition, electro-magnetic means associated with the throttle valve formoving the same in closing direction against said spring, circuitconnections between the generator and the said electro-magnetic meansand including a single pole two point switch movable into one positionto establish a circuit through said electro-magnetic means and intoanother position to short circuit said electro-magnetic means, manuallycontrollable means for actuating said switch, and accelerator meansincluding a solenoid energized upon the switch being in the firstposition.

3. In a speed regulator for motor vehicles, a generator having a shuntfield and having a pair of main brushes and valve, spring urged to openposition, electro-magnetic means associated with the throttle valve formoving the same in closing direction against said spring, circuitconnections between the generator and said electro-magnetic means andincluding a single pole two point switch movable into one position toestablish a circuit through said electromagnetic means and into anotherposition to short circuit said electro-magnetic means, manuallycontrollabe means for actuating said switch, a brake controllingvalve,and a solenoid in series with said electro-magnetic means and actingwhen energized to open said valve.

4. In a speed regulator for motor vehicles, a generator having a shuntfield and having a pair of main brushes and a third brush, a throttlevalve, spring urged to open position, electro-magnetic means associatedwith the throttle valve for moving the same in closing direction againstsaid spring, circuit connections between the generator and the saidelectro-magnetic means and including a single pole two point switchmovable into one position to establish a, circuit through saidelectro-magnetic means and into another posia third brush, a throttle 3tion to short circuit said electro-magnetic means, manually controllablemeans for actuating said switch, accelerator means including a solenoidenergized upon the switch being in the first position, a brakecontrolling valve, and a solenoid in series with said electro-magneticmeans and acting when energized to open said valve.

5. In a speed regulator for motor vehicles, a generator having ashuntfield and having a pair of main brushes and a third brush, a throttlevalve spring urged to open position, electro-magnetic means associatedwith the throttle valve mr moving the same in closing direction againstsaid spring, circuit connections between the generator and the saidelectro-ma-gnetic means and includ- "ing a single pole two point switchmovable into one position to establish a circuit through saidelectro-magnetic means and into another position to short circuit saidelectrormagnetic means, manually controllable means for actuating saidswitch, and means actuated by the manually controlled means control theresistance through generator.

6. In a speed regulator for motor vehicles, a generator having a shuntfield and having a pair of main brushes and a third brush, a throttlevalve spring urged to open position, electro-magnetic means associatedwith the throttle valve for moving the same in closing direction againstsaid spring, circuit connections between the generator and operating tothe field of the -and the said electro-magnetic means and including asingle pole two point switch movable into one position to establish acircuit through said electro-magnetic means and into another posi- 'tionto short circuit said electro-magnetic means,

manually controllable means for actuating said switch, accelerator meansincluding a solenoid the movement of energized upon the switch being inthe first position, and means actuated by the movement oi the manuallycontrolled means and operating to control the resistance through thefield of the generator.

7. In a speed regulator for motor vehicles, a generator having a shuntfield and having a pair and a third brush, a throttle valve spring urgedto open position, electro-magnetic means associated with the throttleerator and the said electro-magnetic means and including a single poletwo point switch movable into one position to establish a circuitthrough said electro-magnetic means and into another position to shortcircuit said electro-magnetic means, manually controllable means foractuating said switch, a brake controlling valve, a solenoid in serieswith said electro-magnetic means and acting when energized to open saidvalve, and means actuated by the movement of the manually controlledmeans and operating to control the resistance through the field of thegenerator.

8. In a speed regulator for motor vehicles, a generator having a shuntfield and. having a pair of main brushes and a third brush, a throttlevalve spring urged to open position, electro-magnetic means associatedwith the throttle valve for moving the same in closing direction againstsaid spring. circuit connections between the generator and the saidelectro magnetic means and including a single pole two point switchmovable into one position to establish a circuit through saidelectro-magnetic means and into another position to short circuit saidelectro-magnetic means,

4- r v u manually controllable means for actuating said switch,accelerator means including a solenoid energized upon the switch beingin the first position, a brake controlling va1ve, a solenoid.- in serieswith said electro-mag etic means and acting when energized to open saidvalve. means actuated by the movement of the manually controlled meansand operating to control the resistance through the field of thegenerator.

9. In a speed regulator for motor vehicles, a generator having a shuntfield and having a pair of main brushes and a third brush, a throttlevalve spring urged'to open position, electro-magnetic means associatedwith the throttle valve said spring, circuit connections between thegenior moving the same in closing direction against erator and the saidelectro-magnetic means and including a single pole two point switchmovable into one position to establish a circuit through saidelectro-magnetic means and into another position to short circuit saidelectro-magnetic means, manually controllable means for actuatin saidswitch, and means actuated by movement of said manually controlled meansand opening and closing the circuit of the third Ibrush of thegenerator.

WILIIAM H. ROSS.

